Ratskeller Bern: Elegant Brasserie with French Cuisine in the Old Town

Name: Ratskeller Bern: Elegant Brasserie with French Cuisine in the Old Town
Address: Gerechtigkeitsgasse 81, 3011 Bern, Bern, CH
Telephone: +41 31 311 17 71
Price range: $$$
Rating: 4.6

Highlights

🍷 Coq au Vin in a rich red wine sauce with Parisian onions and mushrooms
🏛️ Elegant ambience with olive-green walls and typical French flair
💁 Personal hospitality from host Gerhard Liechti
🍰 Café Gourmand with caramel cream, tiramisu, and vanilla ice cream

Ratskeller Bern is a top address for exquisite French cuisine and fine wines in the heart of Bern’s historic Old Town. Accompanied by the warm hospitality of Gerhard Liechti, every visit promises a special experience. We tested the brasserie and report in our detailed review.

Location: Old Town Bern (Gerechtigkeitsgasse 81)
Price range: $$$ (Upscale)
Ideal for: Special occasions, business dinners, romantic evenings

Our Visit to Ratskeller Bern

Elegance Inside and Out

Entrance area of Ratskeller Bern: Wine barrels and bistro tables under the arcades of a building in the Old Town.

The first view of Ratskeller from the outside already promises elegance. It is located in a historic building in the Old Town. Under the arcades, small bistro tables invite you to linger, and next to the entrance, two wine barrels welcome guests.

Elegant interior of Ratskeller Bern: Olive-green walls, photos of Bern's Old Town, and stylishly set tables.

As soon as you enter, you immerse yourself in a typically French ambience: the beautiful wooden tables, lovingly decorated walls with framed photos, and the soft lighting create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Ratskeller’s menu impresses with classic French cuisine, complemented by selected Swiss specialities. Starters include a lamb’s lettuce salad, optionally with eggs and bacon. There are also delicacies like beef tartare, foie gras, or Russian salad. Main courses feature favourites like Entrecôte “Café de Paris” or sliced veal liver. The offering varies by season.

From Russian Salad to Coq au Vin to Café Gourmand

As a starter, I chose the Russian salad. It consisted of small vegetable and potato cubes, tossed in a creamy sauce, and garnished with two halved stuffed eggs and two anchovy fillets. The sauce had a mayonnaise note.

Russian salad from Ratskeller Bern: Vegetable and potato cubes in creamy sauce, garnished with egg, anchovies, and capers.

Next came my main course: the classic Coq au Vin. It was served in a rich, dark red wine sauce, refined with crunchy Parisian onions, mushrooms, and crispy croutons. It came with mashed potatoes that perfectly complemented the rich sauce.

Coq au Vin at Ratskeller Bern: Chicken in a rich red wine sauce with onions, mushrooms, and croutons.

For wine, we chose a Don Daniele from the Toro region in Spain – a noble Tempranillo with an intense and profound flavour.

To finish, we enjoyed a Café Gourmand with a delicious selection of caramel cream, Christmas tiramisu, and vanilla ice cream. A successful sweet ending to our meal.

Café Gourmand at Ratskeller Bern: Dessert selection with caramel cream, Christmas tiramisu, and vanilla ice cream on a slate plate.

True Hospitality

The service at Ratskeller Bern was impeccable and convincing: friendly and attentive without being intrusive. Particularly noteworthy is the personal touch from host Gerhard Liechti, who personally stopped by the table, creating an inviting and family-like atmosphere.

Last visited: 14.12.2024.

eateryfinds.com Rating

💎 Ultimate Find — 4.6 / 5

Ratskeller Bern review (4.6/5): Authentic French cuisine, warm service, and exquisite classics in Bern. Read now!

Plus:

The authentic French cuisine impresses with classics like Coq au Vin and Russian salad at the highest level.
The service is impeccable – friendly, attentive, with a personal touch from the host.
The stylish ambience in Bern's Old Town with warm colours and loving decor creates an inviting atmosphere.
The wine selection is excellent, especially the Don Daniele Tempranillo from Spain impressed with intense flavour.

Improvement:

The prices are high, corresponding to the elegant level of the restaurant.
The menu is compact – for guests expecting a large selection, it might feel somewhat limited.

For whom? Special occasions, Romantic dinner, Business dinner, French cuisine

Practical Info

📍 Address

Gerechtigkeitsgasse 81, 3011 Bern
Bern

📞 Phone

+41 31 311 17 71

🌐 Website

Visit

📋 Menu

🚆 Public Transit

From Bern station, take bus no. 12 towards Zentrum Paul Klee and get off at Rathaus stop. From there it's about 100m on foot.

🕐 Opening Hours

Mon Closed Tue 11:00–14:30, 17:30–23:00 Wed 11:00–14:30, 17:30–23:00 Thu 11:00–14:30, 17:30–23:00 Fri 11:00–14:30, 17:30–23:00 Sat 12:00–23:00 Sun Closed

🅿️ Parking

Casinoparking Bern

📅 Last visited

2024-12-15

🗓️ Published

2024-12-15

🗓️ Updated

2026-05-24

FAQ

Is a reservation required at Ratskeller Bern?

Yes, early reservation, especially for evenings and weekends, is strongly recommended. Due to its high popularity and upscale ambience, this is advisable to avoid waiting times.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options at Ratskeller Bern?

Ratskeller always offers a selection of vegetarian dishes, such as mushroom risotto or puff pastries with mushrooms. For vegan options, we recommend contacting the restaurant directly.

What is the price range at Ratskeller?

Ratskeller is upscale ($$$) – the prices correspond to the high-quality cuisine and elegant ambience.

What is the signature dish at Ratskeller?

The Coq au Vin – a classic French chicken dish in a rich red wine sauce with mushrooms and Parisian onions.